How do cross-platform technologies work?

We always want to learn new things, and our ultimate goal is to keep up with our technology stack. Native and cross-platform development are constantly at odds when it comes to mobile applications. Native applications are truly functional and beautiful, but they take more time to produce and require a larger team to work on multiple codebases. Although it has some drawbacks, cross-platform development permits us to simultaneously develop applications for Android and iOS. Which one is important to you? That depends, however.

Let's concentrate on illuminating cross-platform technologies for your benefit. We'll look at all the benefits and drawbacks, and then we'll tell you when native will be much better for you.

1. What is cross-platform development?

When we create apps using cross-platform technologies, we use the same code to create apps for multiple platforms, typically iOS and Android, but not always. You may wonder, "How is it possible?" There is a world of difference between Apple products and Android-based brands. Custom native elements that boost the performance of our app and the user interface are used to implement the various design adjustments.

2. Technologies used for cross-platform development

There are currently two or maybe three frameworks that allow building cross-platform solutions and are the leaders on the market. The two most popular are Flutter and React Native. Xamarin is also considered quite good. There’s no surprise that these technologies are recognized in the software development world, as they were created and are continuously supported by digital giants: Google, Facebook, and Microsoft.

Flutter

Flutter, the group's newest framework, is rapidly gaining popularity and recognition. Dart is the programming language on which Google's technology for developing for multiple platforms is based. Additionally, it is well-known for its mobile app development widget approach. Developers can achieve a native-like user experience with widgets that can be customized.

Additionally, Flutter is praised for its robust performance and coding speed. Developers are able to quickly locate what they are looking for thanks to comprehensive documentation. Hot reloads are another option that can reduce development time. We are able to quickly refresh the application thanks to this feature. We are able to quickly add new features or design enhancements and immediately update the app in this manner.

React Native

Flutter faces stiff competition from the cross-platform framework developed by Facebook. It is amazing how well it works with other languages and technologies. There is no problem with using Swift, Objective-C, or Java in our project; this is convenient for projects that are more complex and advanced.

The user interfaces built with React Native make excellent use of native UI controllers. Additionally, it delivers exceptional performance. Additionally, the community's support makes it a viable framework.

Xamarin

Known for its high code reuse (up to 96%), Xamarin is a framework from Microsoft that competes with the two above to be one of the major technologies in cross-platform development. It is the oldest one on the list, although it gained more attention years after its release. Like React Native, Xamarin uses native UI controllers to achieve pixel-perfect interfaces. Having support from its creator is not a bad thing either—you get a full ecosystem that promotes quick and easy app development.

3. Advantages of cross-platform development

What are the general advantages of cross-platform development?

Reusable code

One code base for multiple mobile applications promotes consistency and development productivity and allows for more manageable future growth. Also, when each team member works on the same code, it is easier to prevent bugs and delays.

Shorter development time

Cross-platform technologies are time-efficient, mostly because of the previous benefit we discussed. Working with native technologies can cause various problems during production, which can cause, for example, one app to be done earlier than another. Also, native technologies are a little bit more advanced, so they require a longer time to be built in general.

Lower project cost

All brands with a lower budget should consider cross-platform development. Technology that allows us to develop two or more applications simultaneously requires only one team and less time for work. Although I don’t believe in claims that cross-platform can be even 50% cheaper than native, Your costs are going to be lower, but still, app development requires a concrete budget.

Hitting many markets

You must offer apps for all of your clients' devices if you are aware that they are running iOS or Android. With cross-platform development, you can sell a product that looks and works the same on all operating systems. Additionally, in order to ensure that everyone is pleased, new features will be made available to all users simultaneously.

4. Which one is better for my business?

You are still not sure which one to pick—cross-platform or native development?

Here are the hints:

Choosing native development

• For advanced projects with many complicated functionalities
• When you need access to hardware features like camera or GPS
• If your app needs to work offline as well

Choosing cross-platform development

• When you require shorter time-to-market
• If your app is a rather simple project
• For prototyping and MVPs
• If you have a lower budget and want apps for both Android and iOS

Conclusion

Cross-platform development technologies operate in a straightforward manner. The app is ready to be released for multiple operating systems after the programmer adds user interface elements and writes a single line of code. Startups and businesses that value innovation and want to see results quickly will benefit from this technology.

Most experienced programming houses recruit cross-stage engineers, so assuming you are pondering the application project, you certainly ought to contact one and talk about the subtleties. At MLTech Soft, our cross-platform experts have delivered numerous international projects that have been successful.